Abstract : High current, short duration pulses were investigated as methods for determining the state-of-charge of nickel-cadmium and zinc-silver oxide batteries. An accurate indicator over the whole state-of-charge range for nickel-cadmium batteries was developed on the basis of a constant voltage discharge pulse and a preconditioning step. The effects of temperature, cycling, and cell variations on test results were determined. The procedure was shown to be able to test cells of unknown background and to detect the presence of weak or defective cells. A constant voltage discharge pulse test was developed to determine if a zinc-silver oxide battery was charged above 80-85% of full capacity.